Remember Me?

As I harp on every year about how stressful these last couple of months seem to have become, yawn, yawn, I really have not stopped to catch my breath.

I agreed to make several cowls for people on Instagram, it has kept me busy this whole month.

I also decided that I needed more hot water bottles. They are my new best friend. I made a few in april and loved them.....

So covers needed to be made. The one in the top picture was one made on a whim, it's my favourite, and no one else in my family is allowed to go near it! My super duper mother-in-law gave me some gorgeously chunky cream yarn. This was the perfect yarn for such a project. I was winging it on the pattern front, just like the others. I wanted a cross stitch on the front of something. I love how it turned out. All homely and rustic. Perfectly imperfect.

It has been chilly for the most part, but some days are bright and sunny so I've been trying to get a bit of fresh air when I can.

We managed to grab a weekend in Wales, which was great to re-charge the batteries.

I feel the cold. Boots, tights, chunky knits etc. The Mr on the other hand, will try and wear shorts for as long as he possibly can. Mad I tell you.

It's been a beautiful Autumn.

I have been on a mission to eat healthily, although I seem to have had a real craving for pie. It doesn't seem right to go through Autumn without pie. Cherry Pie to be exact. I cannot get enough. So not really healthy, ha ha!

I fell in love with a pie on the front cover of The Farm Chicks book. I think it was for strawberry and rhubarb. But stars it has been from that moment on. Starry pie. No one really gets a look in. The pig in me rears it's head. Pie or Crumble....people get shoved out of the way. I just cannot help it.

What else have I been up to? It's been such a long time......

Oh, like many, I got my copy of Granny chic.

It does not disappoint. Seriously drool worthy.

I also received a lovely book in the post.....

Huge, but good. I am determined to master good bread making. This has a brilliant bread making section.

What a goreos post filled with such loveliness! Those hottie covers are adorable and your pie looks delish!Such beautiful photos too!I'm working my way through lots of handmade gifts for Christmas,stitching and hooking!Have a lovely weekend!

I have missed you tho- but have been secretly checking you out on instragram! im such a boring old numpty and dont have that app...but i so love the quickness of it! and have so much enjoyed your images! x

i hope you are doing well my lovely we must catch up, like you ive had such a hectic few months, so much going on at the moment.Days, weeks leading up to Christmas/winter period is always a busy time. Family gatherings, sending postal packages, my personal life and keeping on top of my life in general has been very hard going at times...

keep snuggly this weekend my lovely!

I sent Sophia in her school uniform on dress up children in need day today at her school- what a numpty i am!!!!

What gorgeous pictures! I love the hot water bottle covers!! SOO adorable! You wouldn't happen to be selling any would you??? :) Such lovely things you've been working on! Hope you have a great weekend! xo Holly

Thank you for your kind words! I'm not currently making any to sell. Life is crazy hectic, but you never know, after the Christmas period when the rush dies down, I might get my act together to put a few makes for sale! x

So happy to see you back in the virtual world, I've missed your pics and posts. They never fail to make me smile (or drool, if I'm honest!)Gorgeous hot water bottle covers. Will be adding similar to my never ending list (but I have to finish everything I've already started first and make some Christmas gifts too! Oh where does the time go?! How can it be mid-November already?! Have a lovely weekend lovely lady,Erin xxx

Remember you? How could I ever forget. Even if you only posted once a year - it would be a pleasure to read your blog. So lovely to see all your fabulous creations! Even though it is pretty much summer here now, I think I still need to make a hottie cover having seen yours!!! Loving the pie too - and it's good for you because it's fruit! Ooooh - you've reminded me that I wanted that book - so I am off to my fave online store right this second.

How lovely to see you again! All your photos are beautiful and full of charm as always. I am thrilled to catch up with you a bit. Would give my eye teeth {so to speak} for one of those heavenly hot water bottles to curl up with tonight. And your crocheted gifts are looking divine :)Happy Holidays to you!Danette

Loved your piccies. Hahaha my hubby is the same. He always says that summer is from 1 April till 1 October and he will wear shorts during this time. I'm terrible though I feel the cold so much. I think I have very thin blood and my BP tends to be on the low side.

Hot water bottles are fab this time of the year and your covers are gorgeous. Oooh you make me want to snuggle up with one now :)

When things slow down, I may want to order a hot water cover...yours are just so lovely. Somehow I found myself smack dab in the middle of the most craftiest gals on IG. I'm in awe of your handiwork, and now will be enjoying your blog, as well!

Love the hot water bottle covers. Is it your pattern? I'd love to make both of them. Could you possibly let me know how I could make them? Or what book they came from? And what type of wool you used? Sorry for being cheeky. I would buy the pattern if you are selling it. Thank you x

Your photography is beautiful! Definitely cheering on horrible damp, cold winter days- I really love your crocheted water bottle cover and the cross stitch detail finishes it off beautifully. Can you tell me where I would be able to get a pattern for this?Rosie xx

Hi there, I'm afraid I just crocheted them, without a pattern. Just did it as I went along tracing around the bottle as I worked the rows. Quite simple. If I have the time I maybe can write up a tutorial for my blog, although, I am a bit of a scatter brain and life is crazy at the moment so it may not be for a while! : )

Hello Vanessa!Lovely to hear from you. I too have been very quiet on the blogging front. REAL LIFE certainly does get in the way.Glad to see all your wonderful makes and to take some inspiration. I have 2 hot water bottles with no covers...and have been thinking about crocheting a cover for a least one and sewing for another. Did you make the pattern yourself ? If you did any hints or pointers... have some chunky yarn and a hook at the ready? Lol!Happy SundayLOVE PEACE enJOY!Juliex

Hi Vanessa, love love your post. Your photography is completely gorgeous. When your boys are up and flying, you could have an online magazine; the whole lifestyle thing, it would be beautiful.I have a crotchet question. Which stitch did you use for the hot water bottle covers?? It worked really well for the cross stitch. Loves it all.

Hi Diana, it was just single crochet. very simple. The rows, however, were at a slight slant, which meant that cross stitching was at a slight slant because the holes weren't directly below each other. But it was all part of the rustic look for me! ha ha!

Its so lovely to see a post from you and hear that you are well. I to feel the cold and Mr J doesn't im all bundled up in coat and hat and he is in a t-shirt with short sleeves maybe its a man thing ;-) I just don't get it. Love your water bottle cover there so sweet i may have to try this if i can work out a pattern im not very good unless someone shows me in person how to make something. Have a lovely week, dee x

I sooooo know how you feel - I have a love/hate relationship with November! Way too many birthdays (didn't plan that very well!) along with all sorts of other stuff that I won't bore you with ... but sometimes it's good when real life gets busy, its a natural way of limiting my blogland adventures ... which I love, of course, but its good to have a reality check too. What a gorgie set pics btw, lovely whirlwind trip around your world - do you take most of your pics on your phone? processed on Instagram? Very nosey question, sorry, but they are so scrum I just have to know!xx

Dear Vanessa, I finally have a google account and can comment on your blog... I love it and find it very inspiring! I love your hearty hot water bottle cover, it looks so cozy and the stitches so neat yet chunky at the same time.... Which wool did you use for it? Was it a chunky or big wool type of yarn? You've inspired me to make one for my nan but wonder what's the best yarn to use... Thanks, Pati x

Hello, I've recently found your blog and love your beautiful creations and photos. I'm new to crochet, only managing granny squares at the moment. I'm going to give the hot water bottle cover a try though.

Your fabulous starry cherry pie looks delicious, and I really really would love to know how do you cut out the stars in the pastry?